STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Chinese gongs, ocean harps, an anvil and even a fleximetal, which sounds similar to a musical saw, will take the stage of the Sun Valley Pavilion tonight as the symphony debuts the world premiere of a new piece.
“Breaking Light” was composed by the symphony’s percussionist Alex Orfaly, who composed “Mean Man’s March” and the narrated drama “Cowboy Bill” several years ago.
Orfaly said he drew inspiration for his latest piece from Dylan Thomas’s 1934 poem, “Light Breaks where no sun shines.” The piece is designed to showcase the symphony’s percussion section, which will play five dozen different percussion instruments during the performance.
Who knew there were so many?!!!!
Tonight’s concert, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will also feature longtime symphony performer William VerMeulen playing the Phoenix Horn Concert,” and Ludwig von Beethoven’s “Overture to Fidelio.”
A look ahead:
MONDAY, Aug. 7—The music moves inside to the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum where the Edgar M. Bronfman String Quartet will perform Beethoven’s “String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat Major.”
TUESDAY, Aug. 8—The music returns to the Sun Valley Pavilion where Grammy Award-winning violinist James Ehnes will perform Elgar’s “Concerto in B Minor for Violin.”
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9—The Family Concert moves from the weekend to a week night as assistant conductor Sameer Patel takes up the baton. In honor of the eclipse, the concert will feature a number of pieces related to the sun, moon and stars. Among them: Richard Strauss’ “Sunrise,” Grieg’s “Morning” from “Peer Gynt” and the always popular “Clair de Lune” by Debussy.
SATURDAY, Aug 12—Buckle in as the symphony performs Richard Strauss’ “A Hero’s Life,” a tone poem inspired by Beethoven’s “Eroica Symphony.” If you like horns, you’ll be in seventh heaven as Strauss decided they were the perfect instrument with which to express heroism.
All the performances are free and all start at 6:30 p.m.
A free half-hour talk will precede each concert at 5:45 p.m. on the north end of the lawn. Children can avail themselves of musical activities in the Kids’ Music Tent at the back of the lawn during the concerts.